Happy Meal X 2, 2005, paper, glue, 3.5 x 6 x 10.5 inches each

 Yuken Teruya manipulates everyday objects, transforming their meanings to reflect on contemporary society and culture. Cutting trees out of paper bags and cardboard toilet paper rolls, he creates meticulous and intricate art works, small and enchanting worlds, which relate to broader concerns such as the growing consumerism of contemporary society, depleting natural resources and other problems associated with globalism. Born in Okinawa, Japan, he received his MFA from the school of Visual Arts, New York in 2001. His work has been widely featured in solo and group exhibitions throughout the United States, Europe and Japan including: Free Fish at the Asia Society, New York (2007); Thermocline of Art - New Asian Waves at ZKM, Karlsruhe, Germany (2007); The Shapes of Space at the Guggenheim Museum, New York (2007); Yokohama International Triennial, Yokohama, Japan (2005); Greater New York at P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center, Queens, NY (2005); and Fuchu Biennale at the Fuchu Art Museum, Tokyo, Japan (2004). In 2002, he was awarded the Emerging Artist Award from the Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art.  Currently, his work can be seen in the exhibition Making a Home at The Japan Society, New York on view until January 13, 2008.